Job 34

¹Then Elihu continued:

²“Hear my words, O wise men; give ear to me, O men of learning.

³For the ear tests words as the mouth tastes food.

⁴Let us choose for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.

⁵For Job has declared, ‘I am righteous, yet God has deprived me of justice.

⁶Would I lie about my case? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’

⁷What man is like Job, who drinks up derision like water?

⁸He keeps company with evildoers and walks with wicked men.

⁹For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should delight in God.’

¹⁰Therefore listen to me, O men of understanding. Far be it from God to do wrong, and from the Almighty to act unjustly.

¹¹For according to a man’s deeds He repays him; according to a man’s ways He brings consequences.

¹²Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice.

¹³Who gave Him charge over the earth? Who appointed Him over the whole world?

¹⁴If He were to set His heart to it and withdraw His Spirit and breath,

¹⁵all flesh would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.

¹⁶If you have understanding, hear this; listen to my words.